Former Fox News anchors support Filler-Corn workplace protection bill
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Former Fox News anchors Gretchen Carlson and Julie Roginsky support a workplace protection bill filed by Del. Eileen Filler-Corn, D-Fairfax.
House Bill 1895 would prohibit non-disclosure and non-disparagement provisions in employment contracts or settlement agreements that would bar discussion of conduct at a past workplace, at work events, and between employees and employers.
This week, Carlson Tweeted about it to her 114,000 followers and Roginsky called into a subcommittee meeting where the bill was heard Tuesday to offer her support.
At a news conference Tuesday morning, Filler-Corn called her bill a “pro-business, law-and-order bill aimed at further improving NDAs.”
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“You might ask me how,” she added. “By cracking down on illicit behavior and preventing bad actors from getting away with these illegal acts of discrimination, retaliation, assault, harassment, workplace violations, waste and abuse.”
It’s something Roginsky has had multiple experiences with. She and Carlson have had high-profile lawsuits against their former employer, Roger Aisles, at Fox News asserting sexual harassment — which was depicted in the 2019 movie, “Bombshell.” Both cases have been settled.
“Sadly, [with] my NDA, cannot tell you how accurate that movie is,” Roginsky said in an interview.
Following her job at Fox she worked for New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy where she said women staff complained to her about a toxic workplace environment. She said that when she told Murphy she was fired, and that an NDA she had signed at the beginning of her contract prevented her from speaking out for years.
“It was one of the darkest days of my life, professionally,” she recalled in a phone call.
Roginsky and Carlson, through their organization Lift Our Voices, have since connected with states in which lawmakers have worked to pass bills like Filler-Corn’s.
Filler-Corn’s bill would enable employees to point out harassment, sexual assault, fraud or other conduct “that is recognized as against a clear mandate of public policy.”
Carlson and Roginsky also wrote a column in The Times-Dispatch this week. They believe that while there is a place for confidentiality provisions like nondisclosure agreements, there is “never a good reason for organizations to cover up workplace abuse.”
The bill was reviewed by a House subcommittee Tuesday evening, which reported the measure to the Commerce and Labor Committee for consideration. Legislation filters through subcommittees and committees before the full House and Senate vote on surviving measures.
It’s unclear yet what bipartisan support the bill could garner in the House and Senate chambers, according to spokespeople for the Senate Democratic Caucus and the House Republican Caucus.
Roginsky said she feels confident it could clear both chambers — noting the bipartisan support for Congress’ similar Speak Out Act.
“This is not an issue that falls along partisan lines and there’s no reason that members on both sides of the aisle and the governor of the commonwealth can’t join together,” she said.
PHOTOS: Va. General Assembly, January 24
Del. Briana Sewell, D-Prince William, takes a photo of Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, and other members of Delta Sigma Theta after a press conference in the Pocahontas Building Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. McClellan and other Democrats spoke of their support for a proposed state constitutional amendment to protect reproductive freedom.
(L-R) Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, and Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, spoke on their support for a proposed state constitutional amendment to protect reproductive freedom during a press conference in the Pocahontas Building Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023.
Del. Charniele Herring, D-Alexandria, listens as Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, speaks in support of a proposed state constitutional amendment to protect reproductive freedom during a press conference in the Pocahontas Building Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023.
Del. Don Scott, Jr., D-Portsmouth, speaks in support of a proposed state constitutional amendment to protect reproductive freedom during a press conference in the Pocahontas Building Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023.
Del. Marcia Price, D-Newport News, addresses the Virginia House of Delegates in the Virginia Capitol in Richmond, Va. Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023,
Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax, addresses the Virginia House of Delegates in the Virginia Capitol in Richmond, Va. Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023,
Del. Marcus Simon, D-Fairfax, addresses the Virginia House of Delegates in the Virginia Capitol in Richmond, Va. Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023,
Del. Cliff Hayes, D-Chesapeake, takes photos of his colleagues in the Virginia House of Delegates in the Virginia Capitol in Richmond, Va. Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023,
Del. Don Scott, Jr., D-Portsmouth, speaks against House Bill 1395 as Del. Shelly Simonds, D-Newport News, holds up a copy during a session of the Virginia House of Delegates in the Virginia Capitol in Richmond, Va. Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023,
Del. Israel O’Quinn, R-Washington, and Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, share a lighter moment during a session of the Virginia House of Delegates in the Virginia Capitol in Richmond, Va. Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023,
Del. Nick Freitas, R-Culpeper, addresses members during the floor session of the House of Delegtates inside the State Capitol in Richmond, Va. Tuesday, January 24, 2023.
(L-R) Lucia Anna “Pia” Trigiani, president of the Library of Virginia Foundation, Del. Betsy Carr, D-Richmond, clap for Librarian of Virginia Sandra Treadway as the Library of Virginia is recognized in the Virginia House of Delegates in Richmond, Va. on the 200th anniversary of the library Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. Paul Brockwell Jr., chair of the library board, stands on right.
Sen. Richard Stuart, R-King George, speaks to his bill to make Eastern Daylight time year-round during a session of the Virginia Senate in the State Capitol in Richmond, Va. Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023.
Sen. Steve Newman, R-Bedford, listens to the debate over making a bill to make Eastern Daylight time year-round during a session of the Virginia Senate in the State Capitol in Richmond, Va. Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023.
Senate Majority Leader Richard Saslaw, D-Fairfax, and Senate Minority Leader Tommy Norment, Jr., R-James City, have a word during a session of the Virginia Senate in the State Capitol in Richmond, Va. Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023.
Del. Tim Anderson, R-VA Beach, addresses members during the floor session of the House of Delegtates inside the State Capitol in Richmond, Va. Tuesday, January 24, 2023.
Del. M. Keith Hodges, R-Middlesex,and Del. Mike Cherry, R-Colonial Heights, listen during the floor session of the House of Delegtates inside the State Capitol in Richmond, Va. Tuesday, January 24, 2023.
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